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How Long Does a Facelift Last?

by | Aug 18, 2020

A facelift allows board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Erick Sanchez to reposition or reduce excess fat, tighten muscles, and remove extra facial skin to provide a youthful look. At Sanchez Plastic Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA, facelift surgery can create natural and beautiful results for patients with a variety of skin concerns. Incisions are made at the hairline, so they are nearly undetectable. There are different types of facelifts that we can explain at your initial consultation. During this visit, we can discuss your goals for the surgery and answer questions regarding how long a facelift will last.

What is a facelift?

Dr. Sanchez uses various techniques to perform facelifts on his patients in Baton Rouge, LA. Their goal, facial anatomy, and skin elasticity will all play an important part in which technique he will use. He chooses the technique based on the invasiveness needed, the type and location of the incisions, and the number of tissue layers that will be affected.

The ideal candidate for a facelift is someone who has:

  • Looseness of skin in the jawline, neck, or middle of the face

  • Loss of volume in the skin of the neck and/or face

 

What to expect during a facelift consultation?

During your consultation at Sanchez Plastic Surgery, we will evaluate your overall health and skin quality, looseness, wrinkles, and folds. We will also look at your bone anatomy to develop a customized plan that will give you the results you’re looking for. There are several variations of facelifts that we can use to address each patient’s unique needs, including:

1. Skin-only: This facelift is less invasive as it focuses only on the skin. This is recommended for those with minimal sagging. It will yield a more subtle result and has the least amount of recovery time for the patient.

2. Traditional SMAS: The SMAS facelift is the most complicated facelift that Dr. Sanchez performs. However, it will give the most dramatic and longer-lasting results. This facelift manipulates the muscles beneath the skin, known as the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS). These muscles control facial expressions.

3. Deep plane lift: This deep plane lift goes one step further than the SMAS and is recommended for those with deeper wrinkles and folds. We use the same SMAS approach, but we also treat an area known as the deep plane to address excess sagging and skin.

 

We often recommend combining nonsurgical techniques, such as BOTOX®, to address skin irregularities on the surface. During your consultation, Dr. Sanchez can help you choose the best facelift option for you.

Facelift recovery

Depending on the facelift you choose and your health, recovery time will vary. Swelling and bruising are expected and should resolve after the first week post-op. Complete recovery from facelift surgery is from four to six weeks.

How long do results last?

How long your results for your facelift last will depend on many factors, including:

  1. Skin conditions and genetics: Those with darker and healthier skin will have longer-lasting results compared to someone with a fair skin tone or skin damage.

  2. Facelift type performed: The more invasive the technique, the more the results will last. A full facelift can last up to 15 years. While less invasive techniques may only last up to six years.

  3. Lifestyle: Your diet, exercise routine, and skincare regimen will all have a significant impact on how long your facelift results last.

Achieve the youthful look you’re dreaming of

When you want to look youthful again, a facelift in Baton Rouge, LA can help. At Sanchez Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Erick Sanchez can perform a variety of facelifts to address his patients’ concerns. Call our Baton Rouge, LA office today to schedule a consultation to learn more about facelift surgery and what to expect after facelift surgery.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.